Goal: Applaud the president’s $10 million campaign to fight poaching in Africa

President Barack Obama recently announced a $10 million campaign to fight poaching of Africa’s protected animals. The president issued an executive order that would establish a task force and advisory council dedicated to stopping the illegal trafficking of products such as rhinoceros horns and elephant tusks. Thank the president for taking on poachers and the black market for illegal animal products with this campaign.

Alongside Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the president made the announcement that he had issued an executive order that would establish the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, which would help local authorities develop a national strategy to curb black market trade of illegal ivory. The order would also establish an eight-member Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking, made up of individuals from the private sector who would advise the task force in making a strategy to fight poachers.

According to Senior Director for African Affairs Grant Harris, the United States is the second largest consumer of illegal wildlife goods, behind China. The poaching industry brings in $7 to $10 billion annually, and funds large-scale criminal activities worldwide. “In the last few years, wildlife trafficking has really exploded in terms of scale and also in terms of the types of poachers and organized crime networks that are involved in this activity,” Harris told reporters. “And it’s decimating the populations of some of Africa’s iconic animals.”

Take a moment to sign the petition below to thank President Barack Obama for this unprecedented step that would add tremendously needed support for Africa’s wildlife.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear President Barack Obama,

Thank you for issuing an executive order for combating wildlife trafficking while in Tanzania. This order would help local authorities in Africa combat the multi-billion dollar illegal animal products industry, which funds criminal enterprises worldwide and destroys the population of Africa’s treasured protected species.

The United States is the second largest global consumer of illegal goods from protected wildlife, and while ivory and other products that come from protected species are still viable sources of income in the black market, the industry will continue to thrive.

Your efforts to fight poaching of protected wildlife from Africa are greatly appreciated. It is my hope that the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking and the Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking will establish a group of individuals who are dedicated not only to fighting criminal enterprises, but to preserving Africa’s majestic wildlife.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Brocken Inaglory via Wikimedia Commons

Sign the Petition

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Address

Street AddressCityState / Province / RegionZIP / Postal CodeCountry

Share on Facebook

Only your name will be displayed. By signing, you accept our terms and may receive updates on this and related causes.